SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2747

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  AUGUST 24, 2020

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2747 (1R).

      As amended and reported, this bill extends the validity of all driver’s license and identification card photographs from eight years to 12 years.  Under current law, driver’s licenses and identification cards are valid for four years and the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) is authorized to use a stored photograph to renew a driver’s license and identification card for a period not exceeding four additional years.

      Under the bill, the chief administrator may elect to use a stored photograph for two consecutive four-year renewal periods, but is prohibited from using a stored photograph for more than 12 years except as otherwise provided by law.  The bill provides that a person who is issued a standard basic driver’s license or standard identification card and who is 65 years of age or older, is not required to update the person’s photograph upon renewal and is eligible to use a stored photograph for each standard driver’s license or standard identification card renewal.

     The bill requires the chief administrator, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reserve one day per week or a certain time each day or each week, to be determined by the chief administrator, at certain commission agency locations to offer appointments exclusively to the following individuals to register a newly purchased, newly acquired, or transferred motor vehicle: (1) senior citizens, and (2) customers who, due to a medical condition diagnosed by a licensed medical doctor or osteopathic physician and evidenced by proof, in a form prescribed by the chief administrator, cannot wear masks or face coverings. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to remove the provision extending the validity of driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards to January 2, 2022.  The amendments instead provide that the chief administrator may use stored photos to renew driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards for two consecutive four-year renewal periods, allowing the stored photos to be used for a maximum total of 12 years.  The amendments provide that stored photos may be used indefinitely for individuals over the age of 65 who are holders of a standard basic driver’s license or standard identification card.

      The amendments also provide that the appointments for certain services that are offered exclusively to certain individuals are to include appointments to register a transferred motor vehicle.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services finds that the bill will lower State costs by allowing the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to utilize stored digital pictures for driver’s license renewals for a longer period than would otherwise be allowed.  This will reduce the cost of taking additional pictures at agencies and allow more transactions to take place online, while still permitting the MVC to collect the $6 digitized picture fee.  The MVC may realize increased costs due to the requirement that certain time be set aside weekly for senior citizens and at-risk populations to conduct transactions at MVC agencies during the COVID-19 public health emergency.